Energy efficient processes for xylenes production

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a process to produce para-xylene and, optionally, ortho-xylene, including coupling two in-series xylenes separation systems with two parallel isomerization systems for energy savings and/or productivity increases.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage Application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2013/071181, filed Nov. 21, 2013, which claimspriority to and the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/732,150,filed Nov. 30, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to energy efficient processes for producingpara-xylene and, optionally, ortho-xylene.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ethylbenzene (EB), para-xylene (PX), ortho-xylene (OX), and meta-xylene(MX) are often present together in C₈ aromatic streams from chemicalplants and oil refineries. Although EB is an important raw material forthe production of styrene, for a variety of reasons, most EB feedstocksused in styrene production are produced by alkylation of benzene withethylene, rather than by recovery from a C₈ aromatics stream. Of thethree xylene isomers, PX has the largest commercial market and is usedprimarily for manufacturing terephthalic acid and terephthalate estersfor use in the production of various polymers such as poly(ethyleneterephthalate), poly(propylene terephthalate), and poly(buteneterephthalate). While OX and MX are useful as solvents and raw materialsfor making products such as phthalic anhydride and isophthalic acid,market demand for OX and MX and their downstream derivatives is muchsmaller than that for PX.

Given the higher demand for PX as compared with its other isomers, thereis significant commercial interest in maximizing PX production from anygiven source of C₈ aromatic materials. However, there are two majortechnical challenges in achieving this goal of maximizing PX yield.Firstly, the C₈ aromatics are difficult to separate due to their similarchemical structures, physical properties, and identical molecularweights. Secondly, the four C₈ aromatic compounds, particularly thethree xylene isomers, are usually present in concentrations dictated bythe thermodynamic equilibriums of the C₈ aromatics. Under the conditionsof 200° C. to 500° C. at which xylenes are processed in typicalpetrochemical plants, the thermodynamic equilibrium content calculatedbased on free energy of formation is often approximately 24 wt % PX, 56wt % MX, and 20 wt % OX, based on the total amount of xylenes in thefeed. Such a relatively low PX equilibrium concentration leads to largeamounts of MX and OX recycles which are reprocessed through severalenergy intensive operations, making PX production a costly practice interms of energy consumption and capital investments. Present demand forPX is fairly large and is expected to grow in the future. Consequently,a system maximizing PX production in an energy-efficient manner ishighly sought after.

A typical xylenes production process is illustrated in FIG. 1. The feedstreams to the system comprise C₈ ⁺ aromatics and may come from one ormore sources, including C₈ ⁺ reformate 1 (see, for instance, U.S. Pat.No. 7,179,367), C₈ ⁺ selective toluene disproportionation product 17(see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 7,989,672), C₈ ⁺ transalkylationproduct 2 (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 7,663,010), C₈ ⁺ toluenedisproportionation product 15 (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No.6,198,013), and C₈ aromatics, produced from toluene and/or benzenemethylation with methanol (see, for instance, U.S. Application2011/0092755). These streams typically comprise C₈ and heavier aromaticswhich are processed along with a recycle stream 10 in one or morefractionators 16 for the removal C₉ ⁺ aromatics (aromatic compoundshaving nine or more carbon atoms) and, optionally, OX in stream 3,which, optionally, can be subsequently separated in fractionator 14 intoOX overhead 4 and C₉ ⁺ bottoms 5. The C₉ ⁺ aromatics could have adverseeffects on downstream PX Recovery 12 and vapor-phase xylenesisomerization unit 13 if not removed from the feed stream(s) as bottomsby the aforementioned fractionation unit 16 and, optionally, 14.

The removal of C₉ ⁺ aromatics and, optionally, OX in fractionator(s) 16thus yields an overhead C₈ aromatics-rich stream 6 which typicallycontains PX at a concentration of below or near the thermodynamicequilibrium concentration. The C₈-aromatics-rich stream 6 is processedto selectively recover PX in a xylenes separation system shown as PXrecovery 12 which may be one or both of selective adsorption orcrystallization. A PX-rich product stream 7, typically having more than99.7 wt % PX is recovered, and a PX-depleted raffinate stream 8containing the balance of C₈ aromatics stream passes to vapor-phasexylenes isomerization 13. Usually, in the presence of hydrogen in stream9, vapor-phase xylenes isomerization 13 generates an isomerate (i.e.,isomerization product) stream 19 having near-equilibrium concentrationof xylene isomers using one or more of a variety of catalysts which mayalso convert EB to benzene and ethane or may convert EB tonear-equilibrium xylene isomers. The isomerate, or isomerization productstream 19 passes to detoluenization fractionation 18 which removes C₇ ⁻hydrocarbons (hydrocarbon compounds having seven or less carbon atoms)in stream 11 to yield isomerate recycle stream 10. Isomerate recyclestream 10 is processed in fractionator 16.

The above processing steps, including fractionator 16, PX recovery 12,vapor-phase xylenes isomerization 13, and detoluenization fractionation18, are all energy-intensive operations. As shown in FIG. 1,conventional xylenes production processes normally involve recycling astream between the separations, in which most of the PX is recovered anda PX-depleted raffinate stream is produced, and the isomerization, inwhich the PX content of the PX-depleted raffinate stream is returnedback towards equilibrium concentration. However, these processes sufferfrom the deficiencies that (1) the low PX concentration in the feed toPX recovery 12 leads to the large quantity of recycle stream 10 and (2)recycle stream 10 must be reprocessed through all the energy-intensivesteps. Such deficiencies make conventional xylenes production a costlyoperation in terms of both capital and energy.

Improving such energy-intensive processes is an active area of research,but it is not a simple matter of optimization of each individual step,as optimization of one step may negatively affect one or more steps inthe overall system. Examples of proposed improvements include thefollowing.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,439,412 discloses a process for recovering one or morehigh purity xylene isomers from a C₈ ⁺-aromatic feed stream includingthe use of an isomerization unit under liquid-phase conditions. In anexample, the product of the liquid-phase isomerization unit is returnedto the first fractionation tower in the system.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,553,998 discloses a process for recovering one or morehigh-purity xylene isomers from a feed having substantial content of C₉⁺ aromatic hydrocarbons comprising de-ethylation of heavy aromaticsfollowed by fractionation and then passing the stream to aC₈-aromatic-isomer recovery to recover high-purity xylene isomers withlowered energy costs. Streams passing through an isomerization unitunder liquid isomerization conditions are split, with a portion sent toan isomer recovery unit, and a portion is purged.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,626,065 discloses processes for recovering one or morehigh-purity xylene isomers from a feed having substantial content of C₉⁺ aromatic hydrocarbons comprising using an additional xylenes separatorto generate a PX-rich effluent stream, which serves as the feed to PXrecovery, and a PX-depleted effluent stream, which is converted to nearequilibrium using an additional xylenes isomerization. The arrangementssave energy by reducing the amount of isomerate recycle.

WO 2012/058106 and WO 2012/058108 describe processes for producing aPX-rich product, such as (a) providing a PX-depleted raffinate stream;(b) providing a parallel configuration of vapor-phase and liquid-phaseisomerization units; and (c) splitting the PX-depleted raffinate streamand isomerizing the two split streams in the two parallel isomerizationunits respectively. The process saves energy by reducing the amount ofisomerate recycle from vapor-phase xylenes isomerization which is moreenergy intensive than liquid-phase xylenes isomerization.

WO 2011/133326 is directed to a xylenes isomerization process, includinga liquid-phase isomerization, for the production of equilibrium ornear-equilibrium xylenes, wherein the process conditions include atemperature of less than 295° C. and a pressure sufficient to maintainthe xylenes in liquid phase that uses at most only ppm levels ofhydrogen and that in embodiments can be regenerated numerous times by anin situ procedure.

Other references of interest include U.S. Publication Nos. 2008/0262282;2009/0149686; 2009/0182182; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,448,459; 6,872,866; and7,368,620.

Present demand for PX is fairly large and is expected to grow in thefuture. Consequently, a system maximizing PX production in anenergy-efficient manner is highly sought after. While prior attempts toimprove PX and, optionally, OX production abound, most have not beenable to reduce the xylenes recycle and circumvent the energy intensivevapor-phase isomerization unit simultaneously. The present inventorshave surprisingly discovered processes which reduce xylenes recycle andavoid vapor-phase isomerization to further lower energy consumption bycoupling two in-series xylenes separation systems with two parallelisomerization systems. The improved processes significantly reduce theenergy required and/or increase the production capacity for producinghigh purity PX and, optionally, OX.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to a process for producing a PX-rich productcomprising: (1) separating a feedstock comprising C₈ ⁺ aromatics toproduce a C₈ aromatics-rich stream and a C₉ ⁺ aromatics-rich stream; (2)separating at least a portion of said C₈ aromatics-rich stream toproduce a PX-rich product stream and a PX-depleted raffinate stream; (3)isomerizing at least a portion of said PX-depleted raffinate stream toproduce a first isomerate stream having a higher PX concentration thansaid PX-depleted raffinate stream; (4) isomerizing at least anotherportion of said PX-depleted raffinate stream to produce a secondisomerate stream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-depletedraffinate stream; (5) separating C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons from at least aportion of said second isomerate stream and, optionally, at least aportion of said first isomerate stream to produce a C₇ ⁻hydrocarbons-rich stream and a C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomeratestream having a lower C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons concentration than said secondand, optionally, said first isomerate streams; (6) separating at least aportion of said first isomerate stream and, optionally, at least aportion of said C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate stream to produce aPX-rich effluent stream and a PX-depleted effluent stream; (7) supplyinga least a portion of said PX-depleted effluent stream to isomerizingstep (3); (8) recycling at least a portion of said PX-rich effluentstream to separating step (1) and, optionally, separating step (2); and(9) recovering at least a portion of said PX-rich product streams assaid PX-rich product. Optionally, the C₉ ⁺-aromatics-rich stream maythen be separated downstream of separating step (1), such as byfractionation, to produce an OX-rich steam and an OX-depleted C₉ ⁺stream.

The invention is also directed to a process for producing a PX-richproduct comprising: (1) separating a feedstock comprising C₈ ⁺ aromaticsto produce a C₈ aromatics-rich stream and a C₉ ⁺ aromatics-rich stream;(2) separating at least a portion of said C₈ aromatics-rich stream toproduce a PX-rich effluent stream and a PX-depleted effluent stream; (3)separating said PX-rich effluent stream to produce a PX-rich productstream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-rich effluentstream and a PX-depleted raffinate stream; (4) isomerizing at least aportion of said PX-depleted effluent stream and at least a portion ofsaid PX-depleted raffinate stream to produce a first isomerate streamhaving a higher PX concentration than said PX-depleted effluent and saidPX-depleted raffinate streams; (5) isomerizing at least another portionof said PX-depleted raffinate stream to produce a second isomeratestream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-depleted raffinatestreams; (6) separating C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons from at least a portion ofsaid second isomerate stream and, optionally, at least a portion of saidfirst isomerate stream to produce a C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-rich stream and aC₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate stream having a lower C₇ ⁻hydrocarbons concentration than said second and, optionally, said firstisomerate streams; (7) recycling at least a portion of at least one ofsaid first isomerate stream and said C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depletedisomerate stream to said separating step (1); and (8) recovering atleast a portion of said PX-rich product stream as said PX-rich product.Optionally, the C₉ ⁺-aromatics-rich stream may then be separateddownstream of separating step (1), such as by fractionation, to producean OX-rich steam and an OX-depleted C₉ ⁺ stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to denotelike parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating typical processing of C₈ ⁺ aromaticsto produce PX and optionally OX.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating an additional embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All patents, patent applications, test procedures, priority documents,articles, publications, manuals, and other documents cited herein arefully incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is notinconsistent with the present application and for all jurisdictions inwhich such incorporation is permitted.

When numerical lower limits and numerical upper limits are listedherein, ranges from any lower limit to any upper limit are contemplated.

One having ordinary skill in the art understands that the embodimentsdiscussed in this application do not represent all the possibleapparatus or process variations embodied by the present disclosure. Inaddition, many pieces of equipment and apparatus and certain processingsteps may be needed for industrial, commercial or even experimentalpurposes. Examples of such equipments and apparatus and processing stepsare, but not limited to, distillation columns, fractionation columns,heat exchanges, pumps, valves, pressure gauges, temperature gauges,liquid-vapor separators, feed and product driers and/or treaters, claytreaters, feed and/or product storage facilities, and processes andsteps for process control. While such equipment, apparatus, and stepsthat are not needed for understanding the essence of the presentapplication are not shown in the drawings, some of them may be mentionedfrom time to time to illustrate various aspects of the disclosure. It isalso noted that some of the equipment may be placed at different placesin the process depending on the conditions of the processes.

For the purposes of this invention and the claims thereto: “C₈aromatics” shall mean aromatic compounds having eight carbon atoms,including ethylbenzene (EB), para-xylene (PX), meta-xylene (MX), andortho-xylene (OX); “C₈ ⁺ aromatics” shall mean aromatic compounds havingeight or more carbon atoms, including EB, PX, MX, and OX; “C₉ ⁺aromatics” shall mean aromatic compounds having nine or more carbonatoms; “C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons” shall mean hydrocarbons having seven carbonatoms or less; “rich” shall mean that the concentration of a compound ina resulting stream is higher than the concentration of the compound inthe starting stream from which the resulting stream is derived, forexample, a PX-rich stream derived from a starting stream is one wherethe PX concentration based on the total amount of xylenes in the streamis higher than the PX concentration based on the total amount of xylenesin the starting stream; “depleted” shall mean that the concentration ofa compound in a resulting stream is lower than the concentration of thecompound in the starting stream from which the resulting stream isderived, for example, a PX-depleted stream derived from a startingstream is one where the PX concentration based on the total amount ofxylenes in the stream is lower than the PX concentration based on thetotal amount of xylenes in the starting stream; “near-equilibriumconcentration of xylene isomers” shall mean the concentration of PXbased on the total amount of xylenes in the stream is within 85% to 100%of its equilibrium concentration while the concentrations of MX and OXvary to balance the composition, for example, if the xylene equilibriumconcentrations are 24 wt % PX, 56 wt % MX, and 20 wt % OX at 350° C.,then a stream having the xylene concentrations of 21 wt % PX, 58 wt %MX, and 21 wt % OX at 350° C. would be having a near-equilibriumconcentration of xylene isomers.

The invention is related to the coupling of two essentially in-seriesxylenes separation systems with two parallel isomerization systems. (Byessentially in-series is meant that the systems may be directly orindirectly linked, for example: 1) two separation systems that aredirectly linked have one separation system's product becoming theother's feed, or 2) two separation systems that are indirectly linkedhave other unit operations, such as distillation columns orisomerization reactors, in between the two separation systems.) Thecoupling significantly reduces the quantity of xylenes recycle and theenergy required for recycle processing. The benefits of suchimprovements may be realized in several ways including saving energy atconstant PX production, maximizing capacity to increase PX production,or both.

Feedstock

The feedstock employed in the present process may be any C₈ ⁺hydrocarbon feedstock containing C₈ aromatic hydrocarbons, such as areformate stream, a hydrocracking product stream, a xylene or EBreaction product stream, an aromatic alkylation product stream, anaromatic disproportionation stream, an aromatic transalkylation stream,and/or a Cyclar™ process stream. The feedstock may further compriserecycle stream(s) from the isomerization step(s) and/or variousseparating steps. The C₈ ⁺ hydrocarbon feedstock comprises PX, togetherwith MX, OX, and/or EB. In addition to xylenes and EB, the C₈ ⁺hydrocarbon feedstock may also contain certain amounts of other aromaticor even non-aromatic compounds. Examples of such aromatic compounds arebenzene, toluene, and C₉ ⁺ aromatics such as mesitylene, pseudo-cumene,and others. These types of feed stream(s) are described in “Handbook ofPetroleum Refining Processes,” Eds. Robert A. Meyers, McGraw-Hill BookCompany, Second Edition, all relevant parts of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

Process Description

The processes of the present application comprise an initial separatingstep that serves to remove C₉ ⁺ hydrocarbons from a C₈ ⁺ hydrocarbonsfeedstock to generate a stream rich in C₈ aromatics. Because of thedifferences in molecular weights, boiling points, and other physical andchemical properties, the C₉ ⁺ hydrocarbon compounds, aromatic ornon-aromatic, can be separated relatively easily from the xylenes andEB. Generally, therefore, the first separating step includes fractionaldistillation, although other separation methods, such ascrystallization, adsorption, a reactive separation, a membraneseparation, extraction, or any combination thereof, can also be used.These separation methods are described in “Perry's Chemical Engineers'Handbook,” Eds. R. H. Perry, D. W. Green, and J. O. Maloney, McGraw-HillBook Company, Sixth Edition, 1984, and “Handbook of Petroleum RefiningProcesses,” Eds. Robert A. Meyers, McGraw-Hill Book Company, SecondEdition, all relevant parts of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

After removal of the C₉ ⁺ hydrocarbons, the present invention comprisestwo essentially in-series xylenes separating systems. One of the twosystems serves to separate the resultant C₈ aromatics-rich stream(s)into a PX-rich effluent stream and a PX-depleted effluent stream. In oneembodiment, the PX-rich effluent stream comprises at least 30 wt %,preferably at least 35 wt % PX, more preferably at least 40 wt % PX,based on the total weight of xylenes in the PX-rich effluent stream. Theother xylenes separating system serves as PX recovery, which recovers aPX-rich product stream from the PX-rich effluent stream and, optionally,other C₈ aromatic streams. In one embodiment, the PX-rich product streamcomprises at least 70 wt % PX, preferably at least 80 wt % PX, morepreferably at least 90 wt % PX, even preferably at least 95 wt % PX, andmost preferably at least 99 wt % PX, based on the total weight of thePX-rich product stream. Each of the xylenes separating systems maycomprise at least one of a crystallization unit; an adsorption unit thatuses either zeolitic adsorbents, such as a PAREX™ unit, or an ELUXYL™unit or non-zeolitic adsorbents; a reactive separation unit; a membraneseparation unit; an extraction unit; a distillation unit; afractionation unit; or any combination thereof. Examples of these typesof separation unit(s) and their designs are described in “Perry'sChemical Engineers' Handbook,” Eds. R. H. Perry, D. W. Green, and J. O.Maloney, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Sixth Edition, 1984 and “Handbook ofPetroleum Refining Processes,” Eds. Robert A. Meyers, McGraw-Hill BookCompany, Second Edition, all relevant parts of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

For the present disclosure, a xylenes separating system may be carriedout in a liquid phase, a vapor (gas) phase, a super critical phase, or acombination thereof. The consumption of energy and the specificcomposition of the aromatic feed stream being separated determine theseparating conditions and the physical state of the aromatic feed streamin the xylenes separator.

The processes of the present invention also comprise two parallelisomerization systems, in each of which a feed stream comprising C₈aromatic compounds is isomerized to produce an isomerization effluent.The feed stream to each isomerization system comprises PX in aconcentration below its equilibrium concentration relative to otherinter-convertible C₈ aromatic compounds under the isomerizationconditions. Each catalyzed isomerization system serves to increase thePX concentration to near its equilibrium level. The isomerization stepmay also serve to convert part or all of EB present in the feed streamto benzene and light hydrocarbons (i.e., hydrocarbons having less than 6carbons per molecule). Alternatively, the isomerization step may alsoserve to isomerize part or all of EB present in the feed stream toxylene(s).

There are many catalysts or combinations of catalysts that can be usedin each isomerization system to effect the desired reaction(s). Forvapor-phase isomerization, there are generally two types of xyleneisomerization catalysts. One type of isomerization catalyst can more orless equilibrate the four different C₈ aromatic compounds, including EB,to the concentrations dictated by thermodynamics under the reactionconditions. This allows maximum formation of PX from C₈ aromatics in aparticular feed. Examples of these type catalysts include IFP/EngelhardOctafining™ and Octafining II™ catalysts used in the respectiveprocesses. Other types of xylene isomerization catalysts can effect EBconversion in addition to xylene isomerization, generally in thepresence of hydrogen. As discussed earlier, these types of catalystswill remove EB and produce benzene and ethane as byproducts. This may bea desirable disposition of EB, depending on supplies and demands ofvarious products as well as other equipment present in a particularplant. Examples include Mobil High Temperature Isomerization (MHTI™)catalysts, Mobil High Activity Isomerization catalysts (MHAI™), and UOPISOMAR™ I-100 catalysts. For liquid-phase isomerization, theisomerization catalyst can more or less equilibrate the three xyleneisomers to the concentrations dictated by thermodynamics under thereaction conditions with generally lower levels of EB conversion asdescribed in WO 2011/133326, which is incorporated by reference herein.

A number of suitable isomerization reactors may be used for the presentdisclosure. Some non-limiting examples are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,899,011 and 4,236,996.

For the present disclosure, a xylene isomerization reaction may becarried out in a liquid phase, a vapor (gas) phase, a super criticalphase, or combinations thereof. The consumption of energy and thespecific composition of the aromatic feed stream being isomerized willinfluence the isomerization reaction conditions and the physical stateof the aromatic feed stream in the xylene isomerization reactor.

This invention is directed to a process for producing PX-rich productcomprising: (1) separating a feedstock comprising C₈ ⁺ aromatics toproduce a C₈ aromatics-rich stream and a C₉ ⁺ aromatics-rich stream; (2)separating at least a portion of said C₈ aromatics-rich stream toproduce a PX-rich product stream and a PX-depleted raffinate stream; (3)isomerizing at least a portion of said PX-depleted raffinate stream toproduce a first isomerate stream having a higher PX concentration thansaid PX-depleted raffinate stream; (4) isomerizing at least anotherportion of said PX-depleted raffinate stream to produce a secondisomerate stream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-depletedraffinate stream; (5) separating C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons from at least aportion of said second isomerate stream and optionally at least aportion of said first isomerate stream to produce a C₇ ⁻hydrocarbons-rich stream and a C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomeratestream having a lower C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons concentration than said secondand optionally said first isomerate streams; (6) separating at least aportion of said first isomerate stream and optionally at least a portionof said C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate stream to produce a PX-richeffluent stream and a PX-depleted effluent stream; (7) supplying a leasta portion of said PX-depleted effluent stream to isomerizing step (3)and/or (4); (8) recycling at least a portion of said PX-rich effluentstream to separating step (1) and, optionally, separating step (2); and(9) recovering at least a portion of said PX-rich product stream as saidPX-rich product. Optionally, the C₉ ⁺-aromatics-rich stream may beseparated downstream of separating (1), such as by fractionation, toproduce an OX-rich steam and an OX-depleted C₉ ⁺ stream. In embodiments,said process comprises isomerizing at least partially in the liquidphase in said isomerizing (4) to produce said second isomerized streamhaving a higher PX concentration than said PX-depleted raffinate stream.

In embodiments, said process comprises separating at least partially inthe liquid phase in said separating step (6) to produce said PX-richeffluent stream and said PX-depleted effluent stream.

In embodiments, said process comprises isomerizing at least partially inthe liquid phase in said isomerizing step (3) to produce said firstisomerate stream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-depletedraffinate stream, and preferably higher than said PX-depleted effluentstream.

In embodiments, said process comprises isomerizing at least partially inthe vapor phase in said isomerizing step (4) to produce said secondisomerate stream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-depletedraffinate stream.

In embodiments, said two parallel isomerization systems comprise aliquid-phase reaction system and a vapor-phase isomerization system,each of which comprises at least one of xylenes isomerization, EBdealkylation, and EB isomerization.

In embodiments, said process comprises processing at least a portion ofsaid PX-rich effluent stream in a benzene removal system to produce abenzene-rich stream and a benzene-depleted, PX-rich effluent stream; andrecycling said benzene-depleted, PX-rich stream to said separating step(1) and/or said separating step (2).

In embodiments, said separating step (1) and said separating step (5)each comprises at least one distillation column.

The invention is also directed to a process for producing a PX-richproduct comprising: (a) separating a feedstock comprising C₈ ⁺ aromaticsto produce a C₈ aromatics-rich stream and a C₉ ⁺ aromatics-rich stream;(b) separating at least a portion of said C₈ aromatics-rich stream toproduce a PX-rich effluent stream and a PX-depleted effluent stream; (c)separating said PX-rich effluent stream to produce a PX-rich productstream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-rich effluentstream and a PX-depleted raffinate stream; (d) isomerizing at least aportion of said PX-depleted effluent stream and at least a portion ofsaid PX-depleted raffinate stream to produce a first isomerate streamhaving a higher PX concentration than said PX-depleted effluent and saidPX-depleted raffinate streams; (e) isomerizing at least another portionof said PX-depleted raffinate stream to produce a second isomeratestream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-depleted raffinatestream (f) separating C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons from at least a portion of saidsecond isomerate stream and optionally at least a portion of said firstisomerate stream to produce a C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-rich stream and a C₇ ⁻hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate stream having a lower C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbonsconcentration than said second and, optionally, said first isomeratestreams; (g) recycling at least a portion of at least one of said firstisomerate stream and said C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate stream tosaid separating (a); and (h) recovering at least a portion of saidPX-rich product stream as said PX-rich product. Optionally, the C₉⁺-aromatics-rich stream may then be separated downstream of separating(a), such as by fractionation, to produce an OX-rich steam and anOX-depleted C₉ ⁺ stream.

In embodiments, said process comprises separating at least partially inthe liquid phase in said separating step (b) to produce said PX-richeffluent stream and said PX-depleted effluent stream.

In embodiments, said process comprises isomerizing at least partially inthe liquid phase in said isomerizing step (d) to produce said firstisomerate stream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-depletedraffinate and said PX-depleted effluent streams.

In embodiments, said process comprises isomerizing at least partially inthe vapor phase in said isomerizing step (e) to produce said secondisomerate stream having a higher PX concentration than said PX-depletedraffinate stream.

In embodiments, said two parallel isomerization systems comprise aliquid-phase reaction system and a vapor-phase isomerization system,each of which comprises at least one of xylenes isomerization, EBdealkylation, and EB isomerization.

In embodiments, said process comprises processing at least a portion ofsaid first isomerate stream in a benzene removal system to produce abenzene-rich stream and a benzene-depleted stream, and recycling saidbenzene-depleted stream to said separating step (a) and/or saidseparating step (b).

In embodiments, said separating step (a) and said separating step (f)each comprises at least one distillation column.

It is an object of the invention to significantly reduce the energyrequired to produce PX and, optionally, OX by minimizing the amount ofxylenes recycle and minimizing the energy-intensive vapor-phaseisomerization.

It is yet another object of the invention to significantly increase theplant output for PX and, optionally, OX productions by utilizing theadditional capacity created through minimizing recycle and bypassing atleast a portion of the vapor-phase isomerization, preferably bypassingall of the vapor-phase isomerization.

The invention will be better understood by reference to FIG. 2, whichillustrates a specific embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2,various feed sources comprising C₈ ⁺ aromatics, such as 1, 2, 15, and17, as described above, are sent to fractionator 16, which removes C₉ ⁺aromatics and, optionally, OX from the feed. The C₈ aromatics overheadis sent via line 6 to PX recovery 12, which may be provided by acrystallization unit or selective adsorption unit both of which areknown in the art (such as a Parex™ unit). PX-rich product is taken offin line 7 and PX-depleted raffinate 8, comprising mostly other non-PX C₈aromatics, is split and sent in parallel to vapor-phase xylenesisomerization 13, having a source of hydrogen 9, and liquid-phasexylenes isomerization 25 via lines 24 and 23, respectively. Theliquid-phase xylenes isomerization 25 generates first isomerate (orisomerization product) 26 having a near-equilibrium concentration ofxylene isomers. The vapor-phase xylenes isomerization 13 generatessecond isomerate 19 having a near-equilibrium concentration of xyleneisomers. The second isomerate 19 passes to detoluenization fractionation18, which removes C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons in stream 11 to yield C₇ ⁻ depletedisomerate stream 10.

Although WO 2012/058106 and WO 2012/058108 have shown that splitting thePX-depleted raffinate stream 8 into streams 23 and 24 can reduce energyconsumption by moving streams away from the vapor phase xyleneisomerization 13, which is more energy intensive than liquid-phaseisomerization 25, the splitting does not reduce the quantity of xylenesrecycle.

This invention unexpectedly discovered that raising the PXconcentrations in first isomerate 26 and C₇ ⁻ depleted isomerate 10 canreduce xylenes recycle and achieve more energy savings and/or capacityincreases. This can be done by processing the isomerates in xylenesseparator 20 via line 31. The xylenes separator 20 generates a PX-richeffluent stream 33, which is recycled to fractionator 16 via line 35and, optionally, to PX recovery 12 via line 34, and a PX-depletedeffluent stream 32 of mostly non-PX C8 aromatics, which is recycled toliquid-phase isomerization 25. Optionally, at least a portion of firstisomerate 26 may be sent to detoluenization fractionation 18 via line 36to remove C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons. Optionally, the bottoms product 3 fromfractionator 16 may be advantageously fractionated in 14 to yield anoverheads product 4 of OX and bottoms product 5 of C₉ ⁺ aromatichydrocarbons.

FIG. 2 also shows that optionally at least a portion of first isomerate26 from liquid-phase isomerization 25 can be sent to one or morelocations such as benzene removal 40 via line 41 and detoluenizationfractionation 18 via line 36. The amount sent to each location isdetermined by the need to remove C₉ ⁺, benzene, and other C₇ ⁻byproducts. The byproducts from vapor-phase xylenes isomerization 13 andliquid-phase xylenes isomerization 25 may need to be removed to preventbuildup and/or to be acceptable for PX recovery 12, especially ifselective adsorption is used for recovering PX. The C₉ ⁺ aromatics canbe removed in fractionator 16 or in one or more devices that employseparation techniques such as membrane, extraction, and adsorption.Similarly, benzene can be removed in 40 to generate a benzene-richstream 42 and a benzene-depleted stream 43 using one or more devicesthat employ separation techniques such as distillation, extraction,membrane, and adsorption. The benzene-depleted stream 43 may be sent toxylenes separator 20.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3,various feed sources comprising C₈ ⁺ aromatics, such as 1, 2, 15, and17, as described above, are sent to fractionator 16, which removes C₉ ⁺aromatics and, optionally, OX from the feed. The C₈ aromatics overheadis sent via line 6 to xylenes separator 20, which generates PX-richeffluent stream 33 and PX-depleted effluent stream 32 comprising mostlyMX, OX, and EB. The PX-depleted effluent 32 is sent to liquid-phasexylenes isomerization 25. The PX-rich effluent stream 33 is sent to PXrecovery 12, which produces PX-rich product 7 and PX-depleted raffinatestream 8 comprising a majority of C₈ aromatics other than PX. A portionof PX-depleted raffinate 8 is sent to liquid-phase xylenes isomerization25 via line 23. The liquid-phase xylenes isomerization 25 generates afirst isomerate (or isomerization product) 26 having a near-equilibriumconcentration of xylene isomers, which is recycled to fractionator 16via line 27 and/or to xylenes separator 20 via line 28. The remainder ofPX-depleted raffinate 8 is sent via line 24 to vapor-phase xylenesisomerization 13, which has a source of hydrogen 9, to generate a secondisomerate 19 having a near-equilibrium concentration of xylene isomers.The second isomerate 19 passes to detoluenization fractionation 18 whichremoves C₇ ⁻ in stream 11 to yield C₇ ⁻ depleted isomerate stream 10which is processed in fractionator 16. Optionally, the bottoms product 3from fractionator 16 may be advantageously fractionated in 14 to yieldan overheads product 4 of OX and bottoms product 5 of C₉ ⁺ aromatichydrocarbons.

FIG. 3 also shows that the first isomerate 26 from the liquid-phaseisomerate 25 may be optionally sent to one or more locations such asfractionator 16 via line 27, benzene removal 40 via line 41,detoluenization fractionation 18 via line 36, and xylenes separator 20via line 28. The amount sent to each location is determined by the needto remove byproducts which include C₉ ⁺ aromatics, benzene, and other C₇⁻ hydrocarbons. The byproducts from vapor-phase isomerization 13 andliquid-phase xylenes isomerization 20 may need to be removed to preventbuildup and/or to be acceptable for PX recovery 12, especially ifselective adsorption is used for recovering PX. The C₉ ⁺ aromatics canbe removed in fractionator 16 or in one or more devices that employseparation techniques such as membrane, extraction, and adsorption.Similarly, benzene can be removed in 40 to generate a benzene-richstream 42 and a benzene depleted stream 43 using one or more devicesthat employ separation techniques such as distillation, extraction,membrane, and adsorption. Optionally, at least a portion of thebenzene-depleted stream can be sent to xylenes separator 20 via line 43and/or fractionator 16 via line 44 (not shown in FIG. 3). Optionally,the C₉ ⁺ aromatics and benzene can be removed simultaneously using oneor more devices that employ separation techniques such as distillation,extraction, membrane, and adsorption.

While the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3 describe the couplingof two in-series xylenes separation systems with two parallel xylenesisomerization systems and the related fractionation facilities, it willbe understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that FIGS. 2 and 3 aremerely representative of the present invention and that many variationsthereof can be readily envisioned.

In another embodiment this invention relates to:

1. A process for producing a para-xylene-rich product, the processcomprising:

-   -   (a) separating a feedstock comprising C₈ ⁺ aromatics to produce        a C₈ aromatics-rich stream and a C₉ ⁺ aromatics-rich stream;    -   (b) separating at least a portion of said C₈ aromatics-rich        stream to produce a para-xylene-rich product stream and a        para-xylene-depleted raffinate stream;    -   (c) isomerizing at least a portion of said para-xylene-depleted        raffinate stream to produce a first isomerate stream having a        higher para-xylene concentration than said para-xylene-depleted        raffinate stream;    -   (d) isomerizing at least another portion of said        para-xylene-depleted raffinate stream to produce a second        isomerate stream having a higher para-xylene concentration than        said para-xylene-depleted raffinate stream;    -   (e) separating C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons from at least a portion of said        second isomerate stream and optionally at least a portion of        said first isomerate stream to produce a C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-rich        stream and a C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate stream having        a lower C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons concentration than said second and,        optionally, said first isomerate streams;    -   (f) separating (preferably with a xylenes separating system) at        least a portion of said first isomerate stream and optionally at        least a portion of said C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate        stream to produce a para-xylene-rich effluent stream and a        para-xylene-depleted effluent stream;    -   (g) supplying a least a portion of said para-xylene-depleted        effluent stream to isomerizing step (c) and/or step (d);    -   (h) recycling at least a portion of said para-xylene-rich        effluent stream to separating step (a); and, optionally,        separating step (b); and    -   (i) recovering at least a portion of said para-xylene-rich        product stream as said para-xylene-rich product.

2. The process of paragraph 1, wherein said para-xylene-rich productstream comprises at least 90 wt % para-xylene based on the total weightof said para-xylene-rich product stream.

3. The process of paragraph 1 or 2, wherein said para-xylene-richeffluent stream comprises at least 30 wt % para-xylene based on thetotal weight of xylenes in said para-xylene-rich effluent stream.

4. The process of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein saidseparating (a) comprises distillation of said feedstock.

5. The process of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein saidseparating (b) and separating (f) each comprises at least one ofselective adsorption, selective crystallization, selective extraction,and selective membrane separation.

6. The process of any of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein said separating (f)is carried out in a separation system operated at least partially inliquid phase under conditions sufficient to generate saidpara-xylene-rich effluent stream and said PX-depleted effluent stream.

7. The process of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein saidisomerizing (c) is carried out in an isomerization system containing atleast one catalyst operated at least partially in liquid phase underconditions sufficient to isomerize meta-xylene and/or ortho-xylene topara-xylene and/or to convert ethylbenzene to benzene and/or xylenes.

7. The process of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein saidisomerizing (d) is carried out in an isomerization system containing atleast one catalyst operated at least partially in vapor phase underconditions sufficient to isomerize meta-xylene and/or ortho-xylene topara-xylene and/or to convert ethylbenzene to benzene and/or xylenes.

9. The process of any of the preceding paragraphs further comprisingseparating benzene from at least a portion of said first isomeratestream in a benzene removal system to produce a benzene-rich stream anda benzene-depleted stream.

10. The process of paragraph 9 further comprising sending at least aportion of said benzene-depleted stream to said separating step (a).

11. The process of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein saidseparating (e) comprises distillation of said isomerate stream(s).

12. The process of any of the preceding paragraphs further comprisingseparating said C₉ ⁺-aromatics-rich stream in an ortho-xylene-recoverysystem to produce an ortho-xylene-rich stream and an OX-depleted C₉⁺-aromatics stream.

13. The process of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein said feedcomprising C₈ ⁺ aromatics includes at least one feed selected from thegroup consisting of a C₈ ⁺ selective toluene disproportionation product,a C₈ ⁺ transalkylation product, a C₈ ⁺ reformate product, a C₈ ⁺ toluenedisproportionation product, and a C₈ ⁺ toluene methylation product, anda C₈ ⁺ benzene methylation product.

14. A process for producing a para-xylene-rich product, the processcomprising:

-   -   (a) separating a feedstock comprising C₈ ⁺ aromatics to produce        a C₈ aromatics-rich stream and a C₉ ⁺ aromatics-rich stream;    -   (b) separating at least a portion of said C₈ aromatics-rich        stream to produce a para-xylene-rich effluent stream and a        para-xylene-depleted effluent stream;    -   (c) separating said para-xylene-rich effluent stream to produce        a para-xylene-rich product stream having a higher para-xylene        concentration than said para-xylene-rich effluent stream and a        para-xylene-depleted raffinate stream;    -   (d) isomerizing at least a portion of said para-xylene-depleted        effluent stream and at least a portion of said        para-xylene-depleted raffinate stream to produce a first        isomerate stream having a higher para-xylene concentration than        said para-xylene-depleted effluent and said para-xylene-depleted        raffinate streams;    -   (e) isomerizing at least another portion of said        para-xylene-depleted raffinate stream to produce a second        isomerate stream having a higher para-xylene concentration than        said para-xylene-depleted raffinate streams;    -   (f) separating C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons from at least a portion of said        second isomerate stream and optionally at least a portion of        said first isomerate stream to produce a C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-rich        stream and a C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate stream having        a lower C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons concentration than said second and        optionally said first isomerate streams;    -   (g) recycling at least a portion of at least one of said first        isomerate stream and said C₇ ⁻ hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate        stream to said separating step (a); and    -   (h) recovering at least a portion of said para-xylene-rich        product stream as said para-xylene-rich product.

15. The process of paragraph 4, wherein said para-xylene-rich effluentstream comprises at least 30 wt % para-xylene based on the total amountof xylenes in said para-xylene-rich effluent stream.

16. The process of paragraph 4 or 15, wherein said para-xylene-richproduct stream comprises at least 90 wt % para-xylene based on the totalweight of said para-xylene-rich product stream.

17. The process of any of paragraphs 14 to 16, wherein said separatingstep (a) comprises distillation of said feedstock.

18. The process of any of paragraphs 14 to 17, wherein said separatingstep (b) and separating step (c) each comprises at least one ofselective adsorption, selective crystallization, selective extraction,and selective membrane separation.

19. The process of any of paragraphs 14 to 17, wherein said separatingstep (b) is carried out in a separation system operated at leastpartially in liquid phase under conditions sufficient to generate saidpara-xylene-rich effluent stream and said PX-depleted effluent stream.

20. The process of any of paragraphs 14 to 19, wherein said isomerizingstep (d) is carried out in an isomerization system containing at leastone catalyst operated at least partially in liquid phase underconditions sufficient to isomerize meta-xylene and/or ortho-xylene topara-xylene and/or to convert ethylbenzene to benzene and/or xylenes.

21. The process of any of paragraphs 14 to 20, wherein said isomerizingstep (e) is carried out in an isomerization system containing at leastone catalyst operated at least partially in vapor phase under conditionssufficient to isomerize meta-xylene and/or ortho-xylene to para-xyleneand/or to convert ethylbenzene to benzene and/or xylenes.

22. The process of any of paragraphs 14 to 21 further comprisingseparating benzene from at least a portion of said first isomeratestream in a benzene removal system to produce a benzene-rich stream anda benzene-depleted stream.

23. The process of paragraph 22 further comprising sending at least aportion of said benzene-depleted stream to said separating step (a).

24. The process of any of paragraphs 14 to 23, wherein said separatingstep (f) comprises distillation of said isomerate stream(s).

25. The process of any of paragraphs 14 to 24 further comprisingseparating said C₉ ⁺-aromatics-rich stream in an ortho-xylene-recoverysystem to produce an ortho-xylene-rich stream and anortho-xylene-depleted C₉ ⁺-aromatics stream.

26. The process of any of paragraphs 14 to 25, wherein said feedcomprising C₈ ⁺ aromatics includes at least one feed selected from thegroup consisting of a C₈ ⁺ selective toluene disproportionation product,a C₈ ⁺ transalkylation product, a C₈ ⁺ reformate product, a C₈ ⁺ toluenedisproportionation product, and a C₈ ⁺ toluene methylation product, anda C₈ ⁺ benzene methylation product.

27. The process of any of paragraphs 1 to 13, wherein said separating(f) is carried out in a separation system operated at least partially inliquid phase under conditions sufficient to generate saidpara-xylene-rich effluent stream and said PX-depleted effluent stream;the isomerizing (c) is carried out in an isomerization system containingat least one catalyst operated at least partially in liquid phase underconditions sufficient to isomerize meta-xylene and/or ortho-xylene topara-xylene and/or to convert ethylbenzene to benzene and/or xylenes;and said isomerizing (d) is carried out in an isomerization systemcontaining at least one catalyst operated at least partially in vaporphase under conditions sufficient to isomerize meta-xylene and/orortho-xylene to para-xylene and/or to convert ethylbenzene to benzeneand/or xylenes.

EXAMPLES

Computer simulations using the PROII™ program, commercially available,were conducted to verify the benefits of the present invention. Certainassumptions were made, including: (a) the isomerization unit isomerizesPX, MX, and OX to their thermodynamic equilibrium; (b) the equilibriumPX concentration in xylenes (excluding EB) is 24%; and (c) theisomerization unit converts EB to benzene, toluene, xylenes, or otherhydrocarbons. Examples 1 and 2 illustrate the benefits of theembodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,respectively, in comparison to the conventional process shown in FIG. 1.

Example 1

This example compares the production of PX using the embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 2 to that using a conventional processshown in FIG. 1. The PROII simulation was based on the followingassumptions.

-   -   The PX production rate was kept at 800 thousand tons per year        for both simulations.    -   The fresh feed to said fractionator 16 had a composition of 1.03        mol % toluene, 6.48 mol % EB, 10.16 mol % PX, 24.26 mol % MX,        13.09 mol % OX, and 43.62 mol % A9+, and 1.36 mol %        non-aromatics.    -   Said PX recovery 12 was a selective adsorption unit producing        said PX-rich product stream having a PX concentration of 99.7        wt. %.    -   Said PX-depleted raffinate stream 8 was equally split between        said liquid-phase isomerization 25 and said vapor-phase        isomerization 13.    -   Said benzene removal 40 and said line 36 to detoluenization        fractionation 18 were not included in simulation.    -   Three cases were studied in which the PX concentration in said        PX-rich effluent stream 33 was assumed to be 30 wt %, 40 wt %,        and 50 wt % based on the total weight of xylenes in the stream,        respectively.    -   The energy consumption related to said xylenes separator 20 was        not considered.

The simulation results are shown in Table 1. It is seen that theembodiment shown in FIG. 2 could achieve significant energy savings inthe range of 22.8 to 60.6 mega Watts over the conventional process. Inaddition to the energy savings, the embodiment also reduced feed rate by7.4 to 20.4 kilo-tons per year. Other benefits (not shown in Table 1)include PX production capacity increases for existing plants andinvestments reduction for new plants.

Example 2

This example compares the production of PX using the embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 3 to that using a conventional processshown in FIG. 1. The PROII simulation was based on the same assumptionsas in Example 1.

The simulation results are shown in Table 2. It is seen that theembodiment shown in FIG. 3 could achieve significant energy savings inthe range of 40.4 to 83.2 mega Watts over the conventional process. Inaddition to the energy savings, the embodiment also reduced feed rate by11.7 to 26.8 kilo-tons per year. Other benefits (not shown in Table 2)include PX production capacity increases for existing plants andinvestments reduction for new plants.

TABLE 1 Benefits from the Embodiment of the Invention Shown in FIG. 2PX-concentration in the second PX-rich stream (wt %) 30 40 50 EnergySavings (MW) 22.8 46.3 60.6 Reduction of feed rate (kta) 7.4 15.5 20.4

TABLE 2 Benefits from the Embodiment of the Invention Shown in FIG. 3PX-concentration in the first PX-rich stream (wt %) 30 40 50 EnergySavings (MW) 40.4 71.8 83.2 Reduction of feed rate (kta) 11.7 22.1 26.8

All documents described herein are incorporated by reference herein,including any priority documents and/or testing procedures to the extentthey are not inconsistent with this text, provided however that anypriority document not named in the initially filed application or filingdocuments is NOT incorporated by reference herein. As is apparent fromthe foregoing general description and the specific embodiments, whileforms of the invention have been illustrated and described, variousmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention belimited thereby. Likewise, the term “comprising” is consideredsynonymous with the term “including” for purposes of Australian law.Likewise whenever a composition, an element or a group of elements ispreceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understoodthat we also contemplate the same composition or group of elements withtransitional phrases “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of”,“selected from the group of “consisting of,” or “is” preceding therecitation of the composition, element, or elements and vice versa.Thus, the term “comprising” encompasses the terms “consistingessentially of,” “is,” and “consisting of” and anyplace “comprising” isused “consisting essentially of,” “is,” or “consisting of” may besubstituted therefor.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for producing a para-xylene-richproduct, the process comprising: (a) separating a feedstock comprisingC8+ aromatics to produce a C8 aromatics-rich stream and a C9+aromatics-rich stream; (b) separating at least a portion of said C8aromatics-rich stream to produce a para-xylene-rich effluent stream anda para-xylene-depleted effluent stream; (c) separating saidpara-xylene-rich effluent stream to produce a para-xylene-rich productstream having a higher para-xylene concentration than saidpara-xylene-rich effluent stream and a para-xylene-depleted raffinatestream; (d) isomerizing at least a portion of said para-xylene-depletedeffluent stream and at least a portion of said para-xylene-depletedraffinate stream to produce a first isomerate stream having a higherpara-xylene concentration than said para-xylene-depleted effluent andsaid para-xylene-depleted raffinate streams; (e) isomerizing at leastanother portion of said para-xylene-depleted raffinate stream to producea second isomerate stream having a higher para-xylene concentration thansaid para-xylene-depleted raffinate streams; (f) separating C7−hydrocarbons from at least a portion of said second isomerate stream andoptionally at least a portion of said first isomerate stream to producea C7− hydrocarbons-rich stream and a C7− hydrocarbons-depleted isomeratestream having a lower C7− hydrocarbons concentration than said secondand optionally said first isomerate streams; (g) recycling at least aportion of at least one of said first isomerate stream and said C7−hydrocarbons-depleted isomerate stream to said separating step (a); and(h) recovering at least a portion of said para-xylene-rich productstream as said para-xylene-rich product.
 2. The process of claim 1,wherein said para-xylene-rich effluent stream comprises at least 30 wt %para-xylene based on the total amount of xylenes in saidpara-xylene-rich effluent stream.
 3. The process of claim 1, whereinsaid para-xylene-rich product stream comprises at least 90 wt %para-xylene based on the total weight of said para-xylene-rich productstream.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein said separating step (a)comprises distillation of said feedstock.
 5. The process of claim 1,wherein said separating step (b) and separating step (c) each comprisesat least one of selective adsorption, selective crystallization,selective extraction, and selective membrane separation.
 6. The processof claim 1, wherein said separating step (b) is carried out in aseparation system operated at least partially in liquid phase underconditions sufficient to generate said para-xylene-rich effluent streamand said PX-depleted effluent stream.
 7. The process of claim 1, whereinsaid isomerizing step (d) is carried out in an isomerization systemcontaining at least one catalyst operated at least partially in liquidphase under conditions sufficient to isomerize meta-xylene and/orortho-xylene to para-xylene and/or to convert ethylbenzene to benzeneand/or xylenes.
 8. The process of claim 1, wherein said isomerizing step(e) is carried out in an isomerization system containing at least onecatalyst operated at least partially in vapor phase under conditionssufficient to isomerize meta-xylene and/or ortho-xylene to para-xyleneand/or to convert ethylbenzene to benzene and/or xylenes.
 9. The processof claim 1 further comprising separating benzene from at least a portionof said first isomerate stream in a benzene removal system to produce abenzene-rich stream and a benzene-depleted stream.
 10. The process ofclaim 9 further comprising sending at least a portion of saidbenzene-depleted stream to said separating step (a).
 11. The process ofclaim 1, wherein said separating step (f) comprises distillation of saidisomerate stream(s).
 12. The process of claim 1 further comprisingseparating said C9+-aromatics-rich stream in an ortho-xylene-recoverysystem to produce an ortho-xylene-rich stream and anortho-xylene-depleted C9+-aromatics stream.
 13. The process of claim 1,wherein said feed comprising C8+ aromatics includes at least one feedselected from the group consisting of a C8+ selective toluenedisproportionation product, a C8+ transalkylation product, a C8+reformate product, a C8+ toluene disproportionation product, and a C8+toluene methylation product, and a C8+ benzene methylation product.